Liberty 11/18 Sailing

[xxsappixx]

Hi Everyone! Just wanted to post a quick ;) review of our recent sailing aboard Liberty of the Seas.

 

Background-

This cruise was booked relatively last minute. Living within 10 mins of the Port of Miami and 30 mins from Port Everglades affords us this luxury. Due to my flexible work schedule I can often easily accommodate a 5 day cruise on short notice. Traveling with me on this cruise are my girlfriend and my grandparents. My girlfriend and I are 25 and 24 respectively. My grandparents 81 and 80. For my and my girlfriend this is our 5th cruise together (7th for me total and 9th for my girlfriend) and 3rd total for my grandparents.

 

We really enjoy cruising. Not only is it very relaxing but it also isn't cost prohibitive. We usually cruise Celebrity or Royal and this time was no different. Generally speaking we pick cruises based on dates and not on ports. However I knew from passed experience that Labadee does not disappoint.

 

Embarkation-

I received and email from RCL stating not to arrive at the port before 12:45. Due to a last minute change of plans my usual method of getting to the port was unavailable. Based upon recommendations from family members I contacted a gentleman named Hans Davila. He runs a private transportation service. He picked us up from our house promptly at the requested time and drove us to port everglades. Approximately a 30-40 min drive. Total price was $60. Not bad for 4 people and luggage and having booked him 1 day before leaving.

 

Upon arrival to the port I handed our luggage over to the porter and proceeded to request wheelchair assistance for my grandfather (I had previously requested it via RCL special needs department…more on this later). Although his mobility is okay for someone who is 80 I felt it was safer for him to be on a wheelchair for the long embarkation process. Im glad we did because the gangway up to the ship was extremely steep and definitely not elderly friendly. We sat and waited in the special needs area for about 15 mins until a wheelchair became available. Then we were promptly escorted through the check in process and then to a holding area for persons who required assistance.

 

At roughly 12:45 the ship had been cleared they promptly began the boarding process. My grandparents were escorted onto the ship so that they could board. My girlfriend and I went with the masses and joined them in the Windjammer about 15-20 mins later.

 

Afterwards we went to our cabins to check them out. My girlfriend and I stayed in 6374 (D1) and my grandparents in 6302 (E1?). Our verandah staterooms were very nice. Furnishings a bit dated. However spacious and clean. We met our stateroom attendants Varna Pink. Nice lady from Jamaica. Informed her that we did not want our room made up in the morning and would only like turndown service after dinner. Thankfully she remembered for the remainder of the cruise. We hate being bothered in the early AM, especially on vacation!!

 

After muster drill we returned back to our cabins. I ordered chocolate covered strawberries for my grandparents in advanced and chocolate covered strawberries and champagne for my girlfriend and I. Both were delivered as promised. We kicked back on our balconies and sipped on our champagne and ate our strawberries as we watched the sail a way.

 

We took the time to unpack and relax. At 8:30 we headed downstairs for dinner. Vivencio and Romaldo were our waiters. We requested a bread basket at the table, they were more than happy to oblige. I will say that our waiters were excellent. I remember my girlfriend having some kind of soup and the beef sliders. I don't remember what I ate..lol but it was good!

 

We skipped the welcome aboard show (which we watched on TV later) and headed to bed.

 

Stay tuned… More to follow!

[sweettara]

we will be on liberty thanksgiving day was there a band playin at sailaway

[pasodancer]

Looking forward to reading more........thank you.//Maria

[ahecht]

Can't wait to read the rest!

[luv2cruzstl]

we will be on liberty thanksgiving day was there a band playin at sailaway

 

My hubby and I sailed on her for the2nd time on Nov 9(this was her first sailing after a transatlantic)...but if I recall right, there wasn't a band at sailaway. We also had cloudy skies, high winds so that could have been a factor!

 

Enjoy your trip!